Lady Hornets to take part in Team USA exhibition

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama State University head coach Chris Steiner-Wilcoxson will lead a contingent of collegiate softball stars from across the state of Alabama later this month as they face the USA Softball Women’s National Team in a pair of games. USA Softball of Alabama and Rec 12 have come together to organize exhibition games in Tuscaloosa and Auburn, with the games in Auburn taking place atJane B. Moore Field onJuly 22beginning at 5 pm (the second game is slated to begin at 7 pm).

“I am really excited about the opportunity to coach against the national team,” Wilcoxson said. “I know that it is a great honor to be chosen to coach such a great group of athletes, and I am really excited to work with them and watch them compete against the national team.

“I am excited for the game of softball and getting it back in the Olympics. I am proud to represent the state of Alabama in this event, and we are glad that the USA national team training event is coming to our state which has great softball throughout all of our classifications.”

The Alabama Stars rosters represent standouts from 14 different colleges and universities. Players from Alabama, Auburn, Alabama State, Jacksonville State, Samford, South Alabama, UAB, North Alabama, Montevallo, UAH and Troy are represented. Alabama products from Southern Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee can also be found on the roster.

Alabama State University assistant coachJeremy Leakwill also serve on the staff, along with another former Wilcoxson assistant – Holly Currie of Sylvania High School.

Alabama State will be represented by a pair of former players, includingKendall Core, who finished second all-time at the school in hits (213) and home runs (30). She will be joined by catcher/first basemanPerry Hindiwho finished ninth in school history in home runs (nine).

“We are so excited to have the USA Women’s National Softball Team coming to Alabama,” said Natalie Norman, State Commissioner of USA Softball of Alabama. “It is a tremendous honor for our state and its softball fans to have the opportunity to watch the best of the best play right here. We will also have the honor of seeing our own elite athletes and coaches, the Alabama Stars, which will be playing USA in the Exhibition Games.”

Tickets start at $12.50 for general admission, $22 for reserved seating and $32 for Premium Seating at each location. Additional events at each venue include a softball player’s camp, an invitational tournament and Team USA and Alabama All-Stars practices open to ticket holders. Tournament and team camp information and registration can be found atwww.rec12.com. Further information can also be found atwww.usasoftballofalabama.com.